The middle of five children, I grew up in a family that was wonderful in bringing Protestants and Catholics together, and this was long before Vatican II. My father was a Protestant and my mother a Catholic, and despite objections from both of their families, they built a good marriage. After leaving the farm in central Ohio, my Dad worked in Cleveland for a Jew, Max Friedman, who was, to mix religions, like Santa Claus to our family. This was …
May 18th was our last Spiritual Direction and the turning in of our last homework as Deacon Aspirants. We also spent the afternoon with Jerry Frumento who is a passionate instructor on the Old Testament. Our last Spiritual Direction marked the completion of the 19th Annotation of the St. Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. This, like so many other aspects of this year seemed so far away last September. Each member of the Aspirancy Diaconate group met with their Spiritual Director, which was …
50 years ago this month, Pope John XXIII presided over the opening of the Second Vatican Council, perhaps better known as Vatican II. The effects of this council are still being felt, nowhere more strongly than in our liturgy. Over the next few weeks we are going to look at the changes that are part of the legacy of Vatican II, how these changes came to be and how they have affected our celebration of – not only the Eucharistic …
Dear Friends: As we anticipate the year ahead, I want to let you know what we have to look forward to here at Holy Family. Believing as a Beloved Disciple and The Year of Faith This year our parish theme is Believing as a Beloved Disciple. Throughout this year, we will explore what it means to be a believer, a follower of Christ, in our modern world. How do we model our faith in all aspects of our lives, not …
Many of us are struggling with the new economic realities of the past two or three years. Unemployment, and underemployment, figures continue to be gloomy. Countless people have been looking for work for months without success. Our faith can be challenged at times like this, and it can be hard to keep optimistic and cheerful when, however hard we try, doors are constantly shut in our face. It’s only natural to question and doubt God. “Where is God in all …
Keep Holy Election Day As we enter into the run up to the next Presidential Election in November 2012, I have been thinking more and more about what it means to be an American citizen and a Catholic. The 2012 election will be my first opportunity to vote for a US President since becoming a citizen in 2010. Being an engaged citizen and being a Catholic are two absolutely complementary things. As Catholics, our Church asks us to bring our …